ART 104: Digital Still Photography

Overview

The purposes of this course it to introduce you to Digital Photography, including a variety of technical and artistic skills necessary to capture quality visual images. You will explore the techniques of Digital Photography from the very basics of how to handle and care for the camera to the complex and challenging factors of exposure.

You will also be exposed to the Photojournalism profession — the philosophy and challenges of documentary photographers and the key factors in capturing and documenting a visual story.

Finally, the course presents the principals and methods of the composition of a pictorial story. These story telling moments that reveals life’s joys, sadness, and passions: the emotional aspects of our lives.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the basics of digital cameras including general camera functions, different options of file formats, memory cards, basic use, handling, gear preparation, and care.
• Exhibit an understanding of photographic lenses and focal lengths.
• Exhibit knowledge of exposure controls, metering functions in different light conditions, and proper white balance.
• Analyze and illustrate the rules of image composition and effective captioning.
• Analyze the techniques of assignment development, image selection, and photo critique.
• Demonstrate and understanding of documentary photography including skills, heritage, traditions, and categories.
• Analyze the ethical challenges that face photojournalists;
• Describe basic digital manipulation software and imaging workflow
• Document and display the essential elements needed to capture a complete photo story.

Course Requirements

In this course, you will be producing digital video and photographic work. Therefore, the following are required:

• A Digital SLR camera with auto/manual exposure controls
• Variable focal length lens or fixed lenses (maximum apertures of 2.8 are helpful)
• An off-camera flash (strobe) are preferred
• Optional Equipment: Tripod, a flash sync cord, filters and basic digital software
• Notes: Advanced amateur cameras (with or without manual capability) with variable focal length fixed lens will be accepted, but are not recommended because they will limit the student's learning capacity.
  35mm film cameras are acceptable, although all negatives must be scanned to a CD, which can then be uploaded to a computer (Most local mini labs can process film and digitally scan images to a CD for a relatively low cost)

Required Texts
ART 104 texts are available from the JIU/MBS bookstore